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Sticking around: Huskers starting safety announces intent to return to Nebraska for 2021

Teddy Rydquist

By Teddy Rydquist

Published:

While the decision of sophomore wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, the program’s leader in all-purpose yards each of the last two seasons, to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Monday left Nebraska with a major void on the offensive side of the football, the Cornhuskers received some good defensive news on Wednesday, as safety Deontai Williams announced his intent to return for a sixth collegiate season, and his fourth in Lincoln.

Earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2020, Williams has totaled 76 tackles (4.5 for loss), three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and a sack during his three years with Nebraska, including a career-high 51 stops in the coronavirus (COVID-19)-shortened campaign.

Prior to joining the Cornhuskers, he spent two seasons with the Jones County Junior College Bobcats in Ellisville, Mississippi after graduating from Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida.

Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander, who has been with head coach Scott Frost since their days with the UCF Knights, is also primed to return redshirt senior outside linebacker JoJo Domann and junior cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt in 2021.

Surrendering 386.5 yards-per-game in 2020, Nebraska’s defense ranked 48th among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs. Returning this trio, however, should help the unit improve on that mark.

Teddy Rydquist

A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.